Combined article of furniture and radio receiving set



s- 1942. D. J. CROWLEY 2,291,796

COMBINED ARTICLE OF FURNITURE AND RAD IO RECEIVING SET Filed July 26, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l ENTOR. row [6 fDanial J,

g- 4, 1942- D. J. CROWLEY 2,291,796

COMBINED ARTICLE OF FURNITURE AND RADIO RECEIVING SET Filed July 26, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet-Z I 2 R7 R6 8 25 4a a INVENTOR. 'Daniel J. Cromleg Patented Aug. 4, 1942 COMBINED ARTICLE OF FURNITURE AND RADIO RECEIVING SET 7 Daniel J. Growley, Grosse Pointe, Mich.

ApplicationJuly 26, 1940, Serial No. 347,778

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a combined article of furniture and radio receiving set.

More particularly, the present invention contemplates the disposition of the several'instrumentalities of a radio receiving set in different parts of a table and has as one of its objects to provide an improved arrangement of the control means for the parts of the radio circuit requiring adjustment.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a combined table and radio receiving set wherein the controls for the radio circuit are arranged for convenient manipulation in the top of the table substantially flush with the top surface of the table. As a result, the controls do not project above the table top and this is advantageous in that it permits the table to be used for card games, for example, without interference from the radio controls.

A further feature of this invention resides in the provision of a construction of the type set forth above wherein the controls are concentrically positioned with respect to each other in an opening formed in the center of the table top and are respectively operatively connected to'the a;

several adjustable parts of the radio circuit arranged beneath the top of the table.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a combined table and radio receiving set constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the upper end portion of the table;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the base portion of the table;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 2; I

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the table.

In the drawings, I have illustrated a table II! having a radio receiving set ll associated therewith and having a top wall l2 supported by a pedestal [3 extending upwardly from a hollow base [4. In the present instance, the radio receiving set H has a chassis unit l5 including a loud speaker l6 and a power pack I1. The power pack I! is supported in the base [4 of the table and the chassis unit IS, with the loud speaker I1, is positioned directly beneath the table top l2.

Among the several instrumentalities of the radio receiving set embodied in the chassis unit l6 are the variable condensers I8 and the'combined volume control rheostat and off-on switch l9. Upon reference to Figure 2 of the drawings,

it will be noted that the variable condensers I8 on the chassis unit are simultaneously actuated by means of a control disc 25 supported for rotation in an opening 2| formed through the center of the table top I2 and having the top surface substantially flush with the corresponding surface of the table top. It is also pointed out at this time that the table top [2 is formed with an annular recess 22 surrounding the periphery of the control disc 20 and having a dial ring 23 secured to the base thereof. The top surface of the dial ring 23 is disposed in a common plane with the top surface of the table and suitable indicia is applied to the top surface of the 'dial ring to indicate the various different wave lengths capable of being received by the radio set. A suitable finder is provided on the condenser control disc 20 to cooperate with the markings on the dial ring 23 for accurately tuning the condensers.

It will also be noted from Figure 2 that the control disc 20 is formed with a central opening 25 therethrough of sufiicient diameter to receive a second control disc 26 supported for rotation in a manner to be more fully hereinafter described and operatively connected to therheostat IS. The top surface of the second control disc 26 is arranged in a common plane with the top surface of the control disc 20 and the latter is formed 7 the above that the two control discs are concentrically arranged within the central opening 2| formed in the table top [2 and the top surfaces of the disc are flush with each other, as well as with the top surface of the table top.

Referring now more in detail to the chassis unit I 5, it will be noted that this unit comprises a supporting plate 28 having the loud speaker l6 detachably secured to the bottom side thereof by means of the fastener elements 29 and having a plurality of vertical generally radially extending partitions 3t secured at their upper ends to 'the'underside of the table top l2 by means of the fastener elements 3!. Upon reference to Figure 4, it will be noted that the amplifier and detector tubes are respectively secured to the vertical partitions 3!! adjacent the radially outer ends thereof and the variable condensers IB are supported on the plate 28 between adjacent partitions 30. In the present instance, three variable condensers of orthodox design are provided and each variable condenser is provided with a vertical rotor shaft 32. The rotor shafts are spaced equal distances from each other and are concentrically arranged with respect to the common axis of rotation of the two control discs 26 and 26.

Each rotor shaft 32 has a pinion 33 secured to the upper end thereof and these pinions are simultaneously rotated by a center gear 34 rotatably mounted on a tube 35 which, in turn, is fixed on the supporting plate 28 in coaxial relationship to the common axis of rotation of the two control discs. As shown particularly in Figure 2, a center driving gear 36 is rotatably supported on the tube 35 above the gear 34, and this gear is provided with a hub 31 which is secured to the underside of the control disc 26 by means of the fastener elements 38.

It follows from the above that rotation of the control disc 20 effects a corresponding rotation of the central driving gear 36. In the present instance, the driving gear 36 is operatively connected to the gear 34 through the medium of suitable reduction gearing 39. Referring now to Figure 4, it will be noted that the reduction gearing 39 comprises a pinion 46 meshing with the driving gear 36 and rotatably mounted on a vertical stub shaft 41 which is supported in any suitable manner on the plate 28 of the chassis unit. A second pinion 42 is mounted on the shaft 4| and is preferably integrally connected to the pinion 46 for actuation by the latter. The pinion 42 is of smaller diameter than the pinion 46 and is adapted to mesh with one of the condenser pinions 33. Thus, it will be seen that the variable condensers are simultaneously actuated through the reduction gearing 39 by the control disc 20.

Referring again to Figure 2, it will be noted that the rheostat I9 is provided with a downwardly extending vertical shaft 44 having a pinion 45 secured to the lower end thereof and adapted to mesh with an idler gear 46 which, in turn, meshes with a pinion 41. The pinion 4! is secured to the lower end of a shaft 48 sup ported for rotation in the tube 35 and having the upper end secured to the control disc 26. It follows from the above that the rheostat I 9 is actuated by means of the control disc 26.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, it will be noted that the hollow base I4 is provided with a removable bottom wall so and that the several instrumentalities of the power pack I! are secured to the bottom wall so as to be removable with the latter as a unit. The power pack I! includes a power transformer an amplifier tube 52, and a rectifier tube 53. These instrumentalities are, of course, electrically connected to the proper parts of the chassis unit through the medium of electrical conductors (not shown). Although the electrical conductors are not shown, nevertheless, it will be seen that the construction is such as to permit the same to be extended through the pedestal i3 which is hollow.

The lower end of the pedestal I3 is suitably secured to the top wall of the hollow base and the upper end of the pedestal forms a support for a casing 54. The casing 54 has a reduced portion 55 enclosing the hub 56 of the speaker and is formed with an enlarged annular portion 51 adapted to enclose the chassis unit H of the radio receiving set. As shown in Figure 2, the side walls of the casing 54 are slotted at different points to form openings 58 for the passage of the sound emitting from the speaker.

The table top I2 is supported by the enlarged portion 51 of the casing and, in the present instance, is secured in place by means of a spider 60 having a hub portion 6| located within the hub portion 55 of the casing and having radially outwardly extending arms 62 terminating beyond the supporting plate 28 of the chassis unit in upwardly projecting portions 63. The upper ends of the portions 63 are secured to the underside of the table top by means of the fastener elements 64. The central portion of the hub 6| of the spider is threaded for detachable engagement with the upper end of a drawbolt 65 extending vertically through the pedestal and having a head portion accessible from the underside of the bottom plate 50 of the base l4. The arrangement is such that the drawbolt 65 secures the casing 54, table top l2, and chassis unit II in position on the top of the pedestal [3.

While in describing the novel arrangement of controls forming the subject matter of this in vention, particular stress has been placed upon other details of construction, nevertheless, it is to be understood that these details are merely for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and the latter should not be limited to these details. Therefore, reservation is made to make such changes in the construction as may come within the purview of the accompanying claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a combined article of furniture and radio receiving set, a table having a top, a radio receiving set supported on the table beneath the top and having adjustable parts, a pair of concentrically arranged control elements rotatably supported about a vertical axis and having substantially fiat top surfaces lying in a common plane including the top surface of said table top, and means respectively connecting the control elements to the adjustable parts of the radio receiving set.

2. In a combined article of furniture and radio receiving set, a table having a top, a radio receiving set having a chassis unit located beneath the top and including a variable condenser and an adjustable rheostat, a pair of concentrically arranged control elements supported in an opening in the table top for rotation about a vertical axis and having substantially flat surfaces lying in a common plane including the top surface of said table top, and means respectively operatively connecting the elements to the variable condenser and adjustable rheostat.

3. In a combined article of furniture and radio receiving set, a table having a top provided with an opening therethrough, a radio receiving set supported on the table beneath said top and including a variable condenser and an adjustable rheostat, a control member in the form of a ring supported in the opening in the table top for rotation about a vertical axis and having a substantially flat top surface lying in a plane including the top surface of said table top, a second control member supported for rotation about the vertical axis aforesaid and positioned in the opening through the center of the ring, said second control member having a substantially fiat top surface lyingin a common plane with the top surface of said ring, and means respectively connecting the control members to the variable condenser and adjustable rheostat.

4. In a combined article of furniture and radio receiving set, a table having a top provided with an opening therethrough, a radio receiving set supported on the table beneath said top and having a variable condenser and an adjustable rheostat, a control member in the form of a ring supported in the opening in the table top for rotation about a vertical axis and having a substantially flat top surface lying in a plane including the top surface of said table top, a second member supported for rotation about the vertical axis aforesaid and positioned in the opening in said ring, said second control member having a substantially fiat top surface lying flush with the top surface of the ring, said ring having an annular recess surrounding the second member to provide for manipulation of the latter, and means respectively operatively connecting the control members to the variable condenser and adjustable rheostat.

5. In a combined article of furniture and radio receiving set, a table having a top provided with an opening therethrough, a control member supported in the opening in the table top for rotation about a vertical axis and having a substantially flat top surface lying in a plane including the top surface of said table top, a pinion secured to the underside of the revoluble control member in concentric relation to the axis of rotation of said control member, a radio receiving set supported on the table beneath said top and including a plurality of variable condensers concentrically arranged with respect to the vertical axis of rotation of the control member, and gearing operatively connecting each of the variable condensers to said pinion for simultaneous operation by the control member.

6. In a combined article of furniture and radio receiving set, a table having a top provided with an opening therethrough, a control member in the form of a ring supported in the opening in the table top for rotation about a vertical axis and having a substantially flat top surface lying in a plane including the top surface of said table top, a second control member supported for rotation about thevertical axis aforesaid and positioned in the opening through the center of the ring, said second control member having a substantially flat top surface lying in a common plane with the top surface of the ring, radio receiving apparatus supported on the table beneath said top and including an adjustable rheostat and a plurality of variable condensers concentrically arranged with respect to the vertical axis of rotation of said control members, a pinion secured to the undersurface of the control ring in concentric relation to the vertical axis and operatively connected to the variable condensers for simultaneously actuating the latter upon rotation of the control ring and. means connecting the second control member to said rheostat for adjusting the latter.

DANIEL J. CROWLEY. 

